Wales to be represented in U19 Final

Wales may have missed out on a place in the final after losing 36-12 in Tuesday’s semi-final to New Zealand – they now play Australia in the third place play-off on Saturday (Ravenhill, 5.30pm) – but Jones will fly the flag for Welsh rugby in the climax of the Division A tournament.

Jones, from Gorseinon, Swansea, follows in the footsteps of fellow WRU referee Hugh Watkins who was the man in the middle of both the 2004 U19 and the 2005 U21 World Championships.

Having taken up the whistle at the age of 14, Jones was appointed to the WRU senior list of referees nine years ago and progressed to the WRU international panel two seasons ago. This is his second IRB U19 World Championships as a referee; he has two seasons’ experience on the IRB Sevens circuit and has officiated Heineken Cup, European Challenge Cup and Magners League rugby for the past two seasons.

On an international level, he controlled Czech Republic v Romania earlier this season and was touch judge at last season’s autumn Test between Italy and Argentina.

Meanwhile, three players have returned home from the Wales U19 squad. David Langdon (cheekbone), Gareth Williams (concussion) and Luke Ford (thigh muscle) sustained injuries in the 36-12 defeat to New Zealand and have been replaced by Jason Tovey (Newport/Dragons), Tom Edwards (Ebbw Vale/Dragons), and Gruff Jones (Llandovery/Scarlets).

Wales U19 Head Coach Justin Burnell will name his team to face Australia in Saturday’s third place play-off tomorrow (Friday).